During his time as premier, Ali is credited with having devised the formal "Roadmap for the End of Transition", a political process that provided clear benchmarks leading toward the establishment of permanent democratic institutions in the country.
[3][7][9] On 19 June 2011, Gaas was appointed the Acting Premier of Somalia after Prime Minister Mohamed abruptly resigned from office as part of a controversial agreement signed in Kampala between the President and the Parliament Speaker.
[13] On 4 July 2011, in one of his first policy initiatives, Gaas appointed a national committee to tackle the severe drought that was then affecting large parts of the country and the larger East Africa region.
The committee consisted of several federal-level members of government, including the Ministers of Defense, Health, Interior, Finance, Public Works, Women's Affairs and Information.
[18] On 31 October, a Somalian delegation led by Prime Minister Ali met in Nairobi with the Kenyan Premier Raila Odinga and other government officials to iron out differences and to outline a joint strategy vis-a-vis Operation Linda Nchi.
After lengthy talks, the delegations issued a joint communique pledging coordinated military, political and diplomatic support for the mission, requesting that AMISOM peacekeepers police areas captured from Al-Shabaab, and that the International Criminal Court (ICC) begin formal investigations against the group's commanders.
He also indicated that he had asked the international community to support the Somali government's extant efforts aimed at developing its maritime defensive capacity, including the possibility of acquiring speed boats and warships to more effectively secure the country's extensive seaboard.
Speaking before a gathering of hundreds of supporters in Mogadishu, Gaas highlighted his administration's various achievements during its brief tenure, saying that "if you appreciate all the hard work and the national obligations done by my government then you will be giving me your votes.
[30] Gaas' term as Prime Minister of Somalia ended on 6 October 2012, when newly elected President Mohamud appointed entrepreneur and economist Abdi Farah Shirdon to the office.
Farole also reminded Gaas of the responsibility now bestowed upon him as leader, urging the new President-elect to prioritize Puntland's interests and calling on all government officials, workers and security forces to cooperate with the region's new leadership.
He also indicated that his administration would facilitate commercial development and trade by renovating and growing the region's existing transport infrastructure, and would seek to tap into Puntland's natural resources through inclusive cooperation.
Additionally, Gaas pledged to deliver social services in the areas of free education, health and women's development, and highlighted the importance of strengthening relations with the federal government.
Gaas also indicated that he intended to tap into existing institutional capacity building initiatives and opportunities, including sending government staff abroad for special skills training.
The meeting was held at the national assembly building and was also attended by Puntland Vice President Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar and Parliament Speaker Said Hassan Shire.
President Gaas briefed the gathered legislators about his government program, reiterating his focus on commercial development, security, reconciliation and institutional capacity building.
[44] On 28 January 2014, the Chief of Cabinet at the Presidential office, Deeq Suleiman Yusuf, announced President Gaas' new Council of Ministers at a press conference at the Puntland State House in Garowe.
The swearing-in function was attended by a number of public figures from the state, including the Vice President, Parliament Speaker, chairman of the Supreme Court and Islamic scholars.
They also touched on the ongoing federalization and national reconciliation talks in Somalia, maritime and regional security, and the Puntland forces' victory over Al-Shabaab insurgents during the Galgala campaign.
[50] The new training schedule is intended to help the Puntland authorities strengthen their marine defense capabilities in keeping with the New Deal Compact's Somali Maritime and Resources Strategy.
[49][50] President Gaas welcomed the initiative, noting that marine cooperation with national and international stakeholders would impact activities on both sea and land, including coastal development projects.
The roundtable meeting concluded with a joint press conference including EU Envoy to Somalia Ambassador Michele Cervone D'urso, during which President Gaas announced that the international representatives had agreed to support the Puntland administration's five-year development plan.
It focused on transparently assessing progress on the Puntland administration's pledges, identifying challenges, setting priorities for 2015, and developing strategies to ameliorate performance and speed up service delivery.
[58] In August 2014, Gaas met with a United Arab Emirates delegation at the Puntland Maritime Police Force base on the outskirts of Bosaso, including UAE Ambassador to Somalia Mohamed Al-Othman and senior heads of the Dubai Port Wall (DP).
[62] In November 2014, Gaas also conferred with UNHABITAT Head of Office for Somalia Dragan Tatic on the completion of roads and houses in Bosaso, as well as water development projects in the region.
The inauguration event was attended by cabinet ministers, legislators, traditional leaders, and various international officials, including tender winner China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, financial partner and Ambassador of Italy to Somalia Farbizio Marcelli, and United Nations Office for Project Services representatives.
Among other objectives, the project aims to renovate the highway between Galkayo and Garowe, including funding refurbishments on the damaged segments of the road and construction of check dams and flood control structures.
The initiative also involves a routine annual maintenance program, which focuses on side brushing, clearing bridges after floods, drainage and culvert clearance, and pothole filling.
According to federal Minister of Culture and Higher Education Duale Adan Mohamed, the pact stipulates that the recent tripartite agreement between Galmudug and Himan and Heeb establishing a new central regional state within Somalia only applies to the Galguduud and south Mudug provinces.
Additionally, parliamentary committees consisting of Federal and Puntland representatives are mandated with ensuring equitable distribution of foreign assistance and overseeing eventual talks pertaining to the Provisional Constitution.
Ambassador Kay welcomed the agreement and urged both parties to work for the public interest, and IGAD representative Afey likewise hailed the reconciliation effort.